Cherry tree named ‘Glenearly’

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a cherry tree,  Prunus avium , and more particularly to a new and distinct variety broadly characterized by a medium size, moderately vigorous, hardy, self unfruitful, productive and regular bearing tree. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described in the early part of May, with first picking on May 7, 2012. The fruit is uniformly medium in size, sweet in flavor, somewhat oblate in shape, clingstone in type, firm in texture, dark red in flesh color, and very dark red in skin color.

Botanical classification: Prunus avium.

Varietal denomination: ‘GLENEARLY’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

In a continuing effort to improve the quality of shipping fruits, I, theinventor, typically hybridize a large number of peach, nectarine, plum,apricot, and cherry seedlings each year. I also grow a smaller number ofopen pollinated seeds of each of these fruits, usually to capturerecessive traits. The present invention relates to a new and distinctvariety of cherry tree, which has been denominated varietally as‘Glenearly’.

During the blooming season of 2002 I hybridized a tree of ‘Brooks’(unpatented) cherry as the selected seed parent by ‘Glenred’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 12,859) cherry as the selected pollen parent. The fruit of thiscross was gathered in the spring of 2002, and the seeds were removedfrom the fruit, germinated, and grown as seedlings on their own root inmy greenhouse. Upon reaching dormancy that year the seedlings weretransplanted as a group to a cultivated area of my experimental orchardlocated near Le Grand, Calif., in Merced County (San Joaquin Valley).During the fruit evaluation season of 2006 I selected the presentvariety as a single tree from the group described above. Subsequent toorigination of the present variety of cherry tree, I asexuallyreproduced it by budding and grafting in the experimental orcharddescribed above, and such reproduction of plant and fruitcharacteristics were true to the original plant in all respects. Thereproduction of the variety included the use of ‘Colt’ (unpatented)rootstock, upon which the present variety was compatible and true totype.

The present variety is similar to its seed parent, ‘Brooks’ (unpatented)cherry, by being moderately vigorous, by being self unfruitful butmoderately productive, by having reniform glands, and by producingcommercial cherries for long distant shipping, but is distinguishedtherefrom by blooming about seven days earlier and by producing cherriesthat are darker red in skin color, that are much darker red in fleshcolor, that are much less susceptible to skin cracking, and that matureabout five days earlier.

The present variety is most similar its pollen parent, ‘Glenred’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 12,859) cherry, by being self unfruitful, by havingreniform glands, and by producing fruit that is dark red in skin color,dark red in flesh color, firm, sweet, and fairly crack resistant, but isdistinguished therefrom by blooming about three days earlier, by beingsomewhat less susceptible to over-production, and by producing cherriesthat are slightly smaller, that are clingstone instead ofsemi-freestone, and that ripen about five days earlier.

SUMMARY OF VARIETY

In summary, the present variety is characterized by a medium size,moderately vigorous, hardy, self unfruitful, productive and regularbearing tree. The fruit matures under the ecological conditionsdescribed in the early part of May, with first picking on May 7, 2012.The fruit is uniformly medium in size, sweet in flavor, somewhat oblatein shape, clingstone in type, firm in texture, dark red in flesh color,and very dark red in skin color.

DRAWING

The accompanying photograph displays four fruits with the stemsattached, two whole fruits detached from the stems to exhibit the skincolor and form, two fruits sectioned to reveal the flesh and fibers, anindividual stone, two insets depicting flowers and buds, a typical tipshoot, and several leaves, all typical of the subject variety.

POMOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Referring now more specifically to the pomological characteristics ofthis new and distinct variety of cherry tree, the following has beenobserved under the ecological conditions prevailing near Le Grand,Merced County (San Joaquin Valley), Calif., and was developed at thestate of full ripe on May 15, 2012, on the original tree during itstenth growing season. All major color code designations are by referenceto the Inter-Society Color Council, National Bureau of Standards. Commoncolor names are also used occasionally.

PARENTAGE

-   Seed parent: ‘Brooks’ cherry (unpatented).-   Pollen parent: ‘Glenred’ cherry (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,859).

TREE

-   Size: Medium, maintained to a height of 12′ [3.66 m.] and a spread    of 6′ [1.83 m.] after ten growing seasons utilizing typical pruning.-   Vigor: Medium vigor, responding typically to irrigation and    fertilization. The plant should be grown on a standard commercial    rootstock for production purposes.-   Growth: Upright and open.-   Form: Central leader.-   Hardiness: Hardy with respect to central California winters.-   Heat tolerance: Observed to perform adequately in typical central    California climatic conditions, which typically include extended    periods of heat.-   Drought tolerance: Variety is developed for commercial orchards and    requires regular irrigation.-   Production: Productive.-   Fertility: Self-sterile, must be cross pollinated by another early    blooming cherry variety, such as ‘Glenare’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.    15,180) or ‘Glenoia’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,157).-   Bearing: Regular bearer, with no crop failures observed.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Medium, reaching a maximum diameter of 3¾″ [95.3 mm.]            after the tenth growing season.        -   Texture.—Medium shaggy.        -   Bark color.—A Grayish brown [61. gy.Br] and Moderate brown            [58. m.Br] variegation with Strong brown [55. s.Br] crevices            present.        -   Lenticels.—Approximate Number Per Square Inch: 8. Color:            Strong brown [55. s.Br]. Average Size: ¼″ [6.4 mm.] to ⅝″            [15.9 mm.]. Shape: Elongated, eye-shaped.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Diameter of central leader measured 12″ above the            first hanger is 2½″ [63.5 mm.]. Diameter of first hanger is            1¼″ [31.8 mm.].        -   Texture.—Smooth on first and second year wood, increasing            roughness with age.        -   Color.—1st Year Wood topside: Grayish red [19. gy.R]. 1st            Year Wood underside: Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG].            2nd Year Wood: Grayish brown [61. gy.Br] and Brownish gray            [64. brGy] variegation.        -   Lenticels.—Number Per Square Inch: About 18 on second year            wood. Color: Brownish orange [54. brO]. Size: 1/64″ [0.4            mm.] to 1/16″ [1.6 mm.]. Shape: Eye-shaped, elongated.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average Length: 6⅛″ [155.6 mm.]. Average            Width: 2″ [50.8 mm.].        -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Form.—Elliptical.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Rounded.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Dorsal Surface: Moderate olive green [125. m.OlG].            Ventral Surface: Deep yellow green [118. deep YG].        -   Margin.—Finely serrate.        -   Venation.—Pinnately net veined.        -   Vein color.—Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG].        -   Petiole.—Average Length: 1″ [25.4 mm.]. Average Thickness:            ⅛″ [3.2 mm.]. Color: Grayish red [19. Gy.R] on the topside            and Moderate yellow green [120. m.YG] underneath.        -   Stipules.—Number: 2 to 6 per leaf at development stage.            Average Length: ¼″ [6.4 mm.]. Color: Moderate yellow green            [120. m.YG] becoming Moderate olive green [125. m.OlG] with            age.        -   Glands.—Number: Mostly 2 per leaf. Position: Oppositely            positioned on the petiole just below the leaf blade. Size:            Medium. Form: Reniform to oval. Color: Strong yellow green            [117. s.YG] becoming Dark olive green [126. d.OlG] with age.        -   Leaf buds.—Pointed, medium.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Hardiness.—Hardy, with respect to central California            winters.        -   Diameter.—Typically 5/16″ [7.9 mm.] 3 days before bloom.        -   Length.—Typically ⅝″ [15.9 mm.] 3 days before bloom.        -   Form.—Free.        -   Surface.—Non-pubescent.        -   Tip color.—White [263. white].-   Flowers: Perfect, complete, perigynous, usually a single pistil,    typically about twenty stamens, five sepals and petal locations    alternately positioned.    -   -   Average flower diameter.—1¼″ [31.8 mm.].        -   Number of petals.—Usually five, very few have extra petals            or fragments.        -   Petal shape.—Circular to slightly oval.        -   Petal margin.—Moderately wavy with occasional serrations.        -   Average petal diameter.— 9/16″ [14.3 mm.].        -   Average petal length.— 11/16″ [17.5 mm.].        -   Petal apex.—Rounded with a small notch on most.        -   Petal base.—Cuneate.        -   Petal color.—White [263. white].        -   Anther color.—Light yellow [86. l.Y].        -   Stigma color.—Light greenish yellow (101. l.gY).        -   Sepal color.—Strong reddish brown [40. s.rBr] over Strong            yellow green [117. s.YG].        -   Sepal length.—¼″ [6.4 mm.].        -   Sepal width.— 3/16″ [4.8 mm.].        -   Average pistil length.— 9/16″ [14.3 mm.].        -   Average stamen length.—½″ [12.7 mm.].        -   Fragrance.—Moderate.        -   Pollen production.—Moderate.        -   Bloom density.—Heavy.        -   Blooming period.—Early, three days before ‘Glenred’ (U.S.            Plant Pat. No. 12,859).        -   Onset of bloom.—One percent on Mar. 9, 2012.        -   Date of full bloom.—Mar. 16, 2012.        -   Duration of bloom.—One to two weeks, dependent on ambient            temperature.        -   Number per cluster.—Usually 2 to 10, 6 average.

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Full ripe, May 15, 2012.-   Date of first picking: May 7, 2012.-   Date of last picking: May 15, 2012.-   Size: Uniform, medium.    -   -   Average diameter axially.—⅞″ [22.2 mm.].        -   Average diameter across cheek plane.— 15/16″ [23.8 mm.].        -   Average diameter across suture plane.—1⅛″ [28.6 mm.].        -   Typical seight.—0.32 ounces [9 grams].-   Form: Uniform, symmetrical, somewhat oblate.    -   -   Cheek plane form.—Oblate.        -   Suture plane form.—Oval.        -   Axial view form.—Elliptical.-   Suture: A Blackish red [21. Blackish R] line located in a shallow    trough extending almost entirely around the fruit.-   Ventral surface: Rounded, lipped toward the apex on both sides.-   Lips: Equal.-   Cavity: Flaring, rounded, suture showing on one side.    -   -   Depth.—⅛″ [3.2 mm.].        -   Breadth.—⅜″ [9.5 mm.].-   Base: Slightly truncate if viewed in the suture plane, cordate if    viewed parallel to the suture.-   Apex: Rounded to slightly cordate.-   Pistil point: An inconspicuous dot.-   Stem: Medium.    -   -   Average length.—1⅜″ [34.9 mm.].        -   Average width.— 1/16″ [1.6 mm.].-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to the flesh.        -   Astringency.—Very slight.        -   Tendency to crack.—Rarely observed in dry seasons, fairly            resistant to cracking in wet season.        -   Color.—A Very dark purplish red [260. v.d.pR] over a Dark            red [16. d.R] background.-   Flesh:    -   -   Color.—Deep red [13. deep R] near the skin and Dark red [16.            d.R] near the stone.        -   Surface of pit cavity.—Covered with Very deep red [14.            v.deep R] broken fibers when twisted away from the stone.        -   Amygdalin.—Moderate.        -   Juice.—Abundant, rich.        -   Juice color.—Dark red [16. d.R].        -   Texture.—Firm, crisp, melting.        -   Fibers.—Abundant, fine, tender.        -   Ripens.—Mostly even, slightly earlier at the apex.        -   Flavor.—A nice balance of acid and sugar, typically 20-24            brix.        -   Aroma.—Very slight.        -   Eating quality.—Very good.

STONE

-   Type: Clingstone.-   Form: Oval.-   Hilum: Narrow, oblong.-   Base: Straight.-   Apex: Rounded.-   Sides: Equal.-   Surface: Fairly smooth.-   External color of stone: Light yellowish brown [76. l.yBr] when    first removed.-   Pit wall color when cracked: Pale orange yellow [73. p.OY].-   Cavity surface color: Pale orange yellow [73. p.OY].-   Average pit wall thickness: 1/16″ [1.6 mm.].-   Average width: ⅜″ [9.5 mm.].-   Average length: ⅜″ [9.5 mm.].-   Average breadth: 5/16″ [7.9 mm.].-   Tendency to split: None observed in dry season.-   Kernel:    -   -   Form.—Oval.        -   Skin color.—Pale yellow [89. p.Y] when first removed.        -   Pellicle color.—Grayish yellow [90. gy.Y].        -   Vein color.—Moderate yellow [87. m.Y].        -   Taste.—Bitter.        -   Viable.—Yes.        -   Average width.— 3/16″ [4.8 mm.].        -   Average length.— 5/16″ [7.9 mm.].        -   Amygdalin.—Moderate.

USE

-   Market: Fresh market and long distance shipping.-   Keeping quality: Good, fruit quality observed to remain in good    condition after 21 days in standard cold room at 36° Fahrenheit [2°    Celsius].-   Shipping quality: Good.-   Resistance to insects: No unusual susceptibilities noted.-   Resistance to diseases: No unusual susceptibilities noted.

OTHER NOTES

Although the new variety of cherry tree possesses the describedcharacteristics under the ecological conditions at Le Grand, Calif., inthe central part of the San Joaquin Valley, it is to be expected thatvariations in these characteristics may occur when farmed in areas withdifferent climatic conditions, different soil types, and/or varyingcultural practices.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of cherry tree, substantially asillustrated and described, that is most similar to the ‘Glenred’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 12,859) cherry by having reniform glands, and byproducing fruit that is dark red in skin color, dark red in flesh color,firm, sweet, and fairly crack resistant, but is distinguished therefromby blooming about three days earlier, by being somewhat less susceptibleto over-production, and by producing cherries that are slightly smaller,that are clingstone instead of semi-freestone, and that ripen about fivedays earlier.